The church was organized around 1829 as Lebanon Methodist Episcopal Church, sitting atop Lebanon hill, bordered by what is now North Main, Lebanon, and Poplar Streets. Although within city limits now, in 1829 this was a very rural area providing lots of outdoor grounds for picnics and revivals. In 1858 the congregation relocated to South Main Street, built a new building, and became known as Old Methodist, or South Main Methodist.
In 1894, the congregation relocated to the corner of Dixie and Franklin Street (where the parking lot for Moody Funeral Home is at present), built a magnificent pseudo-Gothic brick church with beautiful stained glass windows, and changed the name to Central Methodist, pictured here. In 1965 the congregation moved to its present location on North Main Street, constructing another magnificent and beautiful church building.
Central continues in the tradition of those who have gone before, bearing witness to Jesus and his love in Mount Airy and the surrounding area.
One of the most fascinating things about Central are the stained glass windows that surround the chancel area. These windows tell the story of creation. They alternate left to right, each pane numbered at the bottom. The windows were designed and produced by George L. Payne Studios in New Jersey under the supervision of Pierre Millous, chief designer of Chartres Studio, France. Each are fabricated from 1" thick faceted glass in vibrant colors set in an epoxy matrix. The windows were given by Hale and Nina Yokley in honor of the family of Stephen Mason and Emma Cooper Hale, representing three generations of Central members from the Hale family. The windows were dedicated on May 9, 1976, Mother's Day, with a concert of Franz Joseph Haydn's Creation, performed by the Pfeiffer Symphonic Choir and Orchestra.